SALEM -- State universities would be permitted to establish their own police departments with a bill that passed the Oregon Senate Monday.

Senate Bill 405 would allow the state board of higher education to authorize a police force with officers empowered to enforce both state law and university rules and policies. They would be required to have the same training and certification as other law enforcement officers in the state.

Prior to the vote, Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, noted that the University of Oregon and Oregon State University are among the few PAC-10 schools without their own police departments.

"This allows universities to provide policing and security necessary for their populations," he said.

County sheriff and city police officers are under the authority of elected officials, Boquist said. State police answer to the governor and the state Legislature. Under this bill, he said, university police would answer to appointed boards.